India must win the upcoming five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against New Zealand so that they can retain their No 1 status in the ICC team rankings. Now, India is at the top of the ICC ODI team rankings table with 120 ratings points and New Zealand is at the eighth-place by 34 ratings points.

India have been the No 1-ranked ODI side since January 2013, when it replaced England at the top. If India lose the series, starting on Sunday in Napier, they will lose their number one and as many as six ratings points.

India’s young batsman Virat Kohli will start the series in New Zealand as the highest-ranked batsman on either side. Currently, Kohli is in second position in the ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen with 859 ratings points, just 13 behind No 1-ranked AB de Villiers of South Africa. Kohli could reclaim the No 1 rank he last held in November 2013, by showing a good show with his bat.